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We might soon use geoengineering to alter the climate of our planet.
It seems we will soon be taking actions for climate change through geoengineering. As the Climate Change Conference of the United Nations approaches (it will take place in December in Paris), methods for preserving our environment are brought into light.
Recently, the White House hosted the Climate Change Summit as a preparation for the Paris conference. President Obama and Joe Biden, Vice-President of the U.S., both emphasized the importance of big businesses to understand the impact they have on climate. Many scientific institutes and 81 big businesses were present at the event.
Dr. Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, Todd Stern, Climate Change Special Envoy and Dr. John Holdren, Assistant to the President for the Office of Science and Technology were among the ones who offered panels and speeches. Shailesh Jejurikar, Home Care President, reported that Proctor and Gamble is leading with the measures it took on the matter.
One the measures that came into question recently is geoengineering. This type of engineering uses several technologies in order to alter the global climate. It can slow down the process of global warming, to give us some time to cut greenhouse gases, since this proves to be difficult and will heavily affect the economy.
There are two general techniques for postponing global warming. The first one implies carbon dioxide removal, and stocking it into geological formations or abandoned mines. It also includes reforestation and algae growing in the oceans.
The second technique refers to the management of sunlight. Basically we have to block or reflect sunlight in order to limit the amount that reaches our planet. In this way the temperatures can be kept at a lower level.
Unfortunately, these technologies have not been tested and at the moment it is impossible to test them. Both aforementioned techniques pose risks regarding their effectiveness, feasibility and most of all, cost. Geoengineering does have a lot of problems but also a lot of potential.
However, we must keep in mind that taking actions for climate change is of utmost importance. Emission issues must be solved, because the longer we wait the harder it will get in the future.
Image Source: www.pixabay.com
